Plenary Priorities 19-22 October 2026
European Council conclusions : Europe needs to deliver - This summit has not delivered the scale of response Europeans need. We acknowledge progress, but the gap between recognising our problems and taking decisions to solve them remains too wide. Liberals and democrats came together with clear demands: consequences for Russian aggression, action on living costs and the resources to equip Europe for a new era. These remain the tests of European leadership. Our response to limited progress is to press harder for reform: overcome national vetoes, strengthen parliamentary democracy and give the Union the means to deliver.
Make life more affordable: Families need concrete action, not Council conclusions. Europe should invest in clean energy and boost competition to cut costs.
Make Russian aggression carry consequences. Europe must protect critical infrastructure, enforce sanctions and support Ukraine this winter. No single government should block its response.
Stand up to China. European openness must come with reciprocity. Europe should use its trade tools, diversify supplies and defend its workers and businesses.
Fund Europe’s responsibilities. The next MFF must credibly fund Europe’s priorities, including security, competitiveness and enlargement. New own resources and Parliament’s budgetary powers must be respected.
Debate : Wednesday, 21 October, 9:00
Protect EU’s Eastern flank and implement the Black Sea strategy - Over the past ten days, drones attacked seven civilian ships in Romania’s and Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zones, leaving more than twenty sailors dead or missing.
Renew Europe condemns these attacks, which come as Russia intensifies strikes on Ukraine’s ports and vessels, threatening civilian lives, freedom of navigation and the security of EU and NATO countries. Disrupted Black Sea and Danube routes endanger global food security, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, making urgent collective action to protect shipping and critical infrastructure essential.
The EU and Member States must implement the EU Black Sea Strategy and operationalise the Maritime Security Hub in Constanța and Varna. NATO should strengthen surveillance under Eastern Sentry, deploy more counter-drone systems along the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts and step up mine-clearing operations.
Debate : Tuesday 20 October, 9:00
EU–UK Summit: strengthened ambition for a closer partnership - Ahead of the EU-UK summit on 20 November, which builds on the cooperation agenda agreed in May 2025, Renew Europe argues that closer ties serve shared interests in the face of Russian aggression and economic pressure. It welcomes Prime Minister Burnham’s openness to all options, including rejoining the EU, a choice for the British people to which Europe should respond with ambition. Citizens, especially young people, should gain tangible benefits.
The summit must deliver on agricultural trade, youth mobility, linked emissions trading, electricity market access and Erasmus+. Greater single market access requires matching obligations and full implementation of existing agreements. Renew also calls for options for deeper association under Article 217, stronger security cooperation and full parliamentary scrutiny.
Debate : Tuesday 20 October, 9:00
COP31: from commitments to action - Ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye (9-20 November), Renew Europe urges turning climate commitments into immediate action to keep the 1.5°C goal within reach. Parliament’s resolution, voted next week, must give EU negotiators a strong and ambitious mandate.
Renew calls on the Commission to propose an EU-wide electrification target alongside ambitious renewable energy and efficiency targets, and to speed up permitting for grids and interconnectors. It also demands credible climate finance for adaptation and loss and damage in vulnerable countries, with all major emitters contributing.
Debate : Wednesday 21 October, 13:00